Umama Fatema is the spokesperson for the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), one of the key organizers of the July 2024 uprising. She completed her undergraduate degree from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Dhaka and is currently pursuing her master’s there. She founded ‘Empowering Our Fighters’ to support injured fellow protesters and the families of those killed in the mass uprising. In an interview with Bonik Barta, she shared updates on the current state of the platform, as well as her thoughts on the possible DUCSU election. Interviewed by Sabidin Ibrahim.

It’s been nearly ten months since the July uprising. How much progress do you think has been made in rehabilitating the martyrs and the injured?

Since the July uprising, we’ve been hearing about various issues regarding the rehabilitation of the martyrs and the injured. The biggest problem is that the list still hasn’t been finalized. If a complete list had been prepared and made available to everyone, volunteer organizations could have easily provided support. The government hasn’t been able to fully prepare the list either. They’ve allocated BDT 5.96 billion. The July Foundation has been able to distribute funds to a limited number of injured individuals. Most of the injured haven’t received the first installment. And those who have, are now facing trouble receiving the second phase of funds. The categorization system used by the July Foundation has made the whole process more complicated. Separately, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs is also providing some benefits to the injured. But that too seems to be a time-consuming process. We need to rethink the approach to rehabilitation. It’s not possible to help everyone through the same system. If the government wants, it can arrange employment opportunities quickly through the district administration, police, and other agencies. That would ease the lives of the victims’ families and allow them to live with dignity. The government says it will work based on a plan, but what’s most important is to ensure immediate rehabilitation. The injured living on their own income, that should be the main goal.

What is causing the delay in preparing the list of martyrs and the injured from the July uprising?

From the very beginning, we asked the Students Against Discrimination to prepare an accurate list for the rehabilitation of the martyrs and the injured. But that list is still not complete. In August, the student movement submitted a list, which the government could have used differently. But instead, the government pushed it into a lengthy verification process through the July Foundation, which left many people out of the list. The government’s administrative weaknesses and lack of communication have made the rehabilitation process more complicated. If local administrations and district-level agencies had received proper instructions, rehabilitation could have been done quickly and effectively. Many organizations have worked to support the injured, but due to lack of government cooperation, many of them became inactive. If the government had built a network with these organizations, the rehabilitation could have been smoother and faster. The government should sit with the organizations of the injured and make an effective plan so that the families of the martyrs and injured receive support without delay.

You mentioned that many organizations have become inactive. What is the current status of the “Students Against Discrimination” platform? Is it still active or has it become ineffective?

As an organization, the Students Against Discrimination is still active. District-level committees are still operating. However, a lot of complications have arisen within the platform. Whenever there is talk of forming a new party or student organization, we are faced with the question—what will happen to the Students Against Discrimination platform? Since a party is being formed, we asked the leaders to resolve the future of this platform. Due to the massive workload of launching the new party, they were very busy. Now that the party has been announced, work should begin regarding the platform. But we noticed that no one is showing any interest in it. With the announcement of the party, interest in the platform disappeared. Recently, we heard there was supposed to be a council. But that too is paused. Speaking from a place of responsibility, I can say that the district-level committees are full of capable and active members. Now there is uncertainty about the platform’s future. Many students at the district level are confused—should they join the party or stay with a neutral platform? This has caused disorder and mental stress. Those who announced the party assumed that the district committee members would automatically join them. There needs to be a planned decision regarding the students’ future so that they don’t lose hope. Now the question is, will this platform survive, or will the new party become the main organization?

There have been some allegations at the district level against the Students Against Discrimination. You’ve said you don’t have all the information as spokesperson. In this situation, what is your stance and how do you view the platform’s future?

I don’t want to comment directly on the platform’s future, but I can explain my own position. I believe it was very important for students to document the July uprising. But when the “July Program” was canceled, we had to absorb a major blow. After the formation of the new political party, uncertainty has grown around the platform’s future. I believe the students’ aspirations and the need for organization still exist. Rebuilding the Students Against Discrimination is essential. The unfinished work surrounding July must be completed. This situation of the platform has occurred because of those who are more focused on positions and titles, and who don’t think in terms of the interests of the state. I’m doing my best to realize the aspirations that people had through the July movement. The July uprising was beyond our capacity. The Students Against Discrimination did have potential, but it wasn’t properly utilized. Still, I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to bring people together again in a new wave—just like the mass uprising in July.

Many believe that a student union election is necessary. But even after ten months, why hasn’t the election process started? Especially in the case of Dhaka University, where is the students’ union (DUCSU) election heading?

Due to conflicting interests among different political parties, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election is not taking place. And it’s not just DUCSU—no student unions’ elections are happening anywhere. Everyone is prioritizing personal interests. The larger interest is being ignored. During the July–August uprising, a strong sense of unity was built among the people. If all student organizations had worked together back then, it could’ve been a game changer. The Students Against Discrimination couldn’t play that role. But it’s essential to ensure a democratic environment so student union elections can be held properly. Now the question is—can student organizations come together and move the election process forward, or will it be delayed even further due to political conflicts? The government has given silent approval regarding the election, and the administration is trying to organize it.

But political pressure has become a major obstacle here. I don’t want to see a crucial issue like the students’ union being delayed just to please a particular political party. If elections are postponed due to political pressure, then there will be serious concerns about whether DUCSU or any other students’ unions will remain effective at all in the future.

Women played an unforgettable role in the uprising. But after the uprising, it seems women are fading to the background. You, along with many other female leaders, have been harassed through trolling on social media. Why is this happening, and how are you dealing with it?

Women’s participation in the July uprising was extremely important. We’ve always seen that there are many barriers created when it comes to women’s participation in politics. Those who enter politics are often boxed into certain frameworks. People say women don’t understand politics—that they should only focus on the home and family. But the July movement shattered all those barriers and assumptions. Thousands of women actively participated in the anti-quota movement, even outnumbering men in some cases. This proves that women have a political consciousness of their own. But there is no representation. Whenever we talk about women’s rights, it always revolves around a narrow set of issues. The idea that women can think about politics, international relations, or national affairs—those ideas were never given weight in mainstream political discourse. When a woman speaks about women’s rights, she’s quickly labeled a feminist. When she talks about national politics, she’s told she talks too much. There are many layers in our society. This tagging mentality will always exist. We have to face all of this and still continue in politics. We can’t give attention to cyberbullying on social media. The government should enact strict laws against cyberbullying and harassment. Currently, the Cyber Security Act is mostly being used to suppress dissent—but it’s not being effectively used to ensure women’s safety online. Change is a long-term process. But over time, women’s participation in politics will grow and become stronger.

If we can ensure proper laws and social support, then more women will step forward and play important roles in politics. That should be our next goal.

Three student representatives have become advisers in the interim government. Many people are still asking—why is there no female student representative?

There was never a specific demand that a woman must be made an adviser. I don’t understand why an advisory post has to be given to increase women’s importance. The three student representatives who became advisers played important roles in the movement. Everyone is aware of their contributions. Creating a gender divide over representation isn’t necessary. After the uprising, I’ve noticed a lack of women’s representation in many areas. Both the government and student leadership need to address the issue of women properly. Where I am being represented isn’t the real issue. Just having one woman in the spotlight doesn’t solve the broader problems faced by women. Women are still being harassed on the streets and subjected to sexual violence. There’s cyberbullying, rape, and other forms of abuse—and the government must take effective action on these issues. With the right policies and plans, women’s representation and participation will continue to grow.

[This interview was originally conducted in Bangla and published in both the Print and Online editions of Bonik Barta. It has since been translated for the English edition.]